Sehon Named College of Engineering Employee of the Quarter

University Relations

Sandy Sehon

Sandy Sehon, fiscal support supervisor in the Industrial Engineering Department, was named Employee of the Quarter. The award aims to recognize staff who play an integral part in the college's daily routines.

Sehon has been a member of the industrial engineering team for almost 12 years.

Department Head Ed Pohl nominated Sehon for being "extremely knowledgeable, helpful and efficient." Pohl said, "I see firsthand how crucial Sandy is to the day-to-day operations of our department."

He continued, "Sandy single-handedly manages about 100 program-designated and gift Work tags with approximately $8.1 million in expenses. She also oversees 84 grants with approximately $1.3 million in research expenditures. Each account, primary investigator, faculty member and funding source have their own unique requirements and deadlines, but Sandy manages it all with ease and accuracy."

Greg Parnell, professor of practice in industrial engineering, says, "Sandy is the best financial analyst I have worked with at four universities. She is able to flawlessly convert broad PI guidance to a full cost proposal or project budget. She is also able to quickly access financial data systems to provide timely monthly financial reports for research sponsors."

As the new interdisciplinary Data Science program recently got its start, Sehon was the go-to person for training their newest staff member, Lee Shoultz. Lee had this to say: "Sandy has been an excellent trainer and resource for me as I have begun my new job within the department of Data Science. Not only has she helped me gain better knowledge and understanding of the program I now manage, but she has been an excellent help in directing me to other campus resources. We would not have been as successful in these beginning semesters of our program if it were not for her hard work."

Recently, Dean Todd Shields of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences was the recipient of excellent customer service from Sehon and had this to say, "When the data science polo shirts became available, she was extremely kind and helpful, communicating with everyone and then making sure we all received the right shirts. … When Sandy and I missed each other on campus, Sandy was kind enough to drive by my house after work and put it in my mailbox. I am very thankful and I am proudly wearing my data science shirt today!"

The Arkansas Academy of Industrial Engineers treasurer, Jim Burgin, enjoys working with Sehon and added, "Sandy is my primary contact with the Industrial Engineering Department. While she is meticulous and hardworking, the attribute I most enjoy about Sandy is her happy personality. Regardless of my strange question or short notice need, she is always cheerful and willing to help out. She serves as AAIE's direct point of contact with the UA Foundation and closely monitors our nine different funds totaling over $3 million. These funds allow us to help provide over $100,000 in scholarships to industrial engineering students annually. Her oversight is no small feat."

Sehon's cheerful personality was also noted by her colleague Tamara Ellenbecker. "Sandy is often the voice of calm and supports us as we navigate the Workday challenges in the department. She is always willing to help us understand and does so with a gentle humor that makes it much easier to accept."

With Sehon's selection, an industrial engineering staff member has been honored as Employee of the Semester or Quarter for six of the past seven years. (The award switched from semesters to quarters in 2020.) This speaks to the dedication to service and excellence in the Department of Industrial Engineering.